Town readies pay-as-you-throw rollout; cart delivery planned in June, hardship pilot to begin

The town presented a timing and logistics update on the pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) residential trash program at the Select Board meeting on May 26.

Staff said approximately 8,500 carts were ordered to match the town's household estimate and that deliveries are scheduled to begin June 8 and run for roughly two weeks. "We have on order about 8,500 carts," a staff lead said, adding that a June 8 delivery start is the current target and that eight tractor-trailers of carts will arrive at a town facility for staging.

To support retail distribution of PAYT bags, staff reported commitments from Market Basket and outreach to local stores; the town has set a retail-target date of June 24 for bags to be on shelves. A postcard and town communications schedule will explain cart delivery windows, bag retail locations and how residents can check eligibility and cart counts online.

Staff also described a limited hardship pilot administered by the Council on Aging and the town social worker to provide bag assistance to residents who meet means-tested criteria. "We have seven or eight cases coming from our bag vendor that we're going to give to COA and allow them to administer a means-tested eligibility program," staff said.

The town is hiring an operations analyst to manage PAYT inventory and logistics; interviews for that position begin next week. Staff emphasized they expect a short public-adjustment period after launch and will work with the hauler to handle early issues.

Select Board members asked about reuse options for existing carts and whether town sticker or reuse guidance would be promoted; staff urged residents to consider reusing existing containers and to consult the recycling commission for sticker and reuse options.